 
03/29/2003 7:30 PM ET
Phillies notes: Plesac plays on
Pitcher still has fire for title
| By Ken Mandel / MLB.com |
 |
TAMPA, Fla. -- The jokes about him being old are almost as old as the man
himself, but that doesn't stop players from making fun of grandpa Dan Plesac.
"Every time Randy Wolf or David Coggin see me on ESPN Classic -- the 1987
All-Star Game or something -- I hear about the it next day. They do anything they
can
to make me feel old."
"Hey, we see those black and white games and he's in his fifth year in
the
big leagues," said Wolf, "pitching against Honus Wagner."
"Ha ha," Plesac might say, before pointing out that Wagner -- who retired
in
1917 -- died nearly seven years before Plesac was born. Still it should be noted
that the lefty debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers, who were then an American
League
team, in 1986, the same year as New Coke. The lefty is still pitching at 41.
The odds of Plesac returning for an 18th season seemed long as the 2002
season ended. Upset at not having been traded to a contender by the Blue Jays at
first, then the Phillies, Plesac returned to his home in Valparaiso, Ind., and
didn't think about picking up a ball.
Between spending time with his two daughters and the horses he raises, he
fielded holiday calls from the Phillies about whether the fire still burned.
Assistant Ruben Amaro Jr. called around Halloween and general manager Ed Wade
phoned
around Thanksgiving. Neither got a definitive yes from Plesac.
Plesac got hungry when David Bell signed and was downright famished
watching Jim Thome's press conference a week later. Before sprinting from the
retirement home, he dialed manager Larry Bowa.
"I asked him if he wanted me to come back and play and he said, 'Of
course
I do,'" Plesac said. "I called back Ed Wade and said 'Let's do it.'
"I'm so glad I decided to come back. The whole complexion of this team
has
taken a complete 180-degree turnaround. There's excitement here. You're talking
about core players who are ready to win. I saw that the first day at the
minor league complex."
That day, Plesac said he was going to play "10 more years," and seemed
genuine. He won't play that long, but his passion for a championship forced him
to
come back. Shortly after agreeing to a one-year deal for $2 million, Plesac began
working out. He started throwing in January.
The rigors of the extra throwing wore on the veteran -- as he tried to
keep
up with the kids like Wolf and Coggin -- but now he feels caught up.
"It's awesome," said Wolf. "He's such a great guy to talk to about pitching
and baseball in general. He's got so much knowledge because he's been around so
long."
Deciding against making another "old" joke, Wolf added, "If you're around
him
for five minutes, you'll know he's just a good guy. He's contagious. He's funny and
keeps everything light."
More than that, Plesac still gets lefties out, which is exactly what Bowa
needs him to do.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel that I could help this team," said
Plesac. "It would be a waste of my time. The fire still burns. I know that this
city is dying for something to root for. We feel when you put this red uniform
on,
there's some pride here."
With that, he grabbed the 2002 Phillies Media Guide, flipped to page 270, and
stared at his picture for a few seconds.
"I look a lot older," he said. "There are guys in here that were playing
T-ball when I was pitching in the big leagues."
Injury update: Tyler Houston tested his sore rib cage at the minor-league
complex Saturday morning and proclaimed himself ready for the season. Eric Valent
was returned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Phillies Opening Day
roster
is set.
After taking swings at the complex, Houston arrived at Legends Field and
took over at first base for Thome. He went 0-for-2 for the day.
While the news on Houston was good, Bowa said he isn't counting on an
April
return for Turk Wendell. The reliever is throwing again after having a setback in
his return from elbow surgery that cost him the 2002 season.
"I really don't think he can join us until he goes back-to-back days and
feels good," said Bowa. "It's very hard to set up a bullpen where you throw him
one
day and the next day you can't post up. I don't think it would be too smart to
bring a guy like him up in April when the weather's cold."
As for Michaels, who's eligible to come off the disabled list on April 6
and is scheduled to swing at the complex on Tuesday, Bowa said there's no rush.
"I would say he won't be back the sixth," Bowa said. "If [his strained
oblique muscle] is OK, we want him to go to Triple-A. If he gets 25 or 30 at-bats
and nothing is wrong, and he's swinging the bat decent, we might make a move. I
don't think there's a date set where he's got to be here."
Just in case: The message scribbled on the end of the bat read,
"If
you need to hit something, use this" and it was signed, "Nick Johnson."
Johnson sent the "gift" to his Uncle Larry, known to most as Larry Bowa,
manager of the Phillies.
"I thought it would be good if I sent it over to him, so at some point
during the year if he needs to let loose, he can go right ahead," said Johnson,
who
is likely aware of his uncle's need to vent. "I don't think it will last all
year.
It might not last until the All-Star break."
Reminded about the team's 9-18 start last April, Johnson reconsidered.
"Then it might be shattered."
Johnson, who shattered a bat himself on a Padilla fastball, has a request
should/when Bowa need the 34-inch, 31-ounce lumber.
"Keep it at the field," he said. "If he takes it home and starts breaking
stuff, my aunt won't be too happy."
Skipper speaks: On the team's offense as camp winds down: "Over the past
four or five games, I'm worried about the swings we're taking. There are certain
guys, their swings aren't very good right now."
Signage: The Phillies signed three pitchers to minor-league contracts,
including Wayne Gomes, the team's first-round pick in the 1993 First-Year Player
Draft. The other two were Julio Santana (released by Detroit) and Jose Cabrera
(released by Minnesota).
Philling in: Former left fielder Greg Luzinski was named hitting coach for
the Atlantic City Surf, joining manager and former closer Mitch Williams. ...
Brett
Myers will travel to Miami with the team to be part of his first Opening Day
ceremonies, then leave in the fourth or fifth inning to return to Clearwater.
He's
scheduled to throw 75 or 80 pitches against Brandon Duckworth on Tuesday, then
start on April 6 against Pittsburgh.
Coming up: The Phillies will work out Monday at Pro Player Stadium in
Miami
to prepare for Opening Day against the Marlins.
Ken Mandel is a reporter
for
MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball
or its clubs.
|
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Dan Plesac
/ P
Tyler Houston
/ 3B
